Pentium G3260 vs Phenom II X4 820

Pentium G3260 vs Phenom II X4 820 Performance Spectrum

Pentium G3260

2 / 2

2,116

+0.1%

2,114

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Pentium G3260 vs Phenom II X4 820 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Pentium G3260 vs Phenom II X4 820: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Pentium G3260

2015

Why buy it

✅Costs $86 less on MSRP ($64 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
✅Delivers 134.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 33.1 vs 14.1 PassMark/$ ($64 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).
✅Draws 53W instead of 95W, a 42W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Phenom II X4 820

2009

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,114 vs 2,116).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.1 vs 33.1 PassMark/$ ($150 MSRP vs $64 MSRP).
❌79.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 53W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G3260 better than Phenom II X4 820?

Yes. Pentium G3260 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium G3260 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G3260 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Pentium G3260 is the better buy right now. Pentium G3260 comes in $86 cheaper on MSRP at $64 MSRP versus $150 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 134.6% better value on MSRP (33.1 vs 14.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Pentium G3260 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Pentium G3260 vs Phenom II X4 820 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Pentium G3260

The Pentium G3260 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency: 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 53 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 2,116 points. Launch price was $69.

Phenom II X4 820

The Phenom II X4 820 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,114 points. Launch price was $90.

⚡

Processing Power

The Pentium G3260 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom II X4 820 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 820 has 2 more cores. The Phenom II X4 820 is built on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. In PassMark, the Pentium G3260 scores 2,116 against the Phenom II X4 820's 2,114 — a 0.1% lead for the Pentium G3260. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Pentium G3260 vs 4 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 820.

Feature	Pentium G3260	Phenom II X4 820
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	—	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+18%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	—	512 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	—	Deneb (2009−2011)
PassMark	2,116	2,114

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium G3260 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X4 820 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium G3260	Phenom II X4 820
Socket	LGA1150	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium G3260 was priced at $64, while the Phenom II X4 820 came in at $150. On launch pricing ($64 vs $150), Pentium G3260 was $86 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium G3260 delivers 33.1 pts/$ vs 14.1 pts/$ for the Phenom II X4 820 — making the Pentium G3260 the 80.5% better value option.

Feature	Pentium G3260	Phenom II X4 820
MSRP	$64-57%	$150
Performance per Dollar	33.1+135%	14.1
Release Date	2015	2009

Search Pentium G3260 on Amazon

Search Phenom II X4 820 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.